News
Leicester begin to clear out
May 22 2008
Leicester have confirmed that centre Matt Cornwell and front row man Alex Moreno will depart from Welford Road at the end of the season.
Cornwell has started just three games this season and has cited his desire for more regular rugby as his main reason for leaving the current Guinness Premiership champions.
"I've got to stay in the Premiership because I want to play for England," Cornwell told BBC Radio Leicester.
"At the moment, primarily, I don't want to go abroad but if that is the offer I'll take it."
Cornwell has not said which clubs he is in discussions with but he did reveal he was talking about his future.
"There's a few clubs, I've got options abroad, I've got options in the Premiership, down in London there's a few clubs," he said.
Both players will depart after the Guinness Premiership Final this weekend.
The side Leicester beat in the Guinness Premiership semi-finals on Sunday, Gloucester, have extended Willie Walker's contract by a further two years, keeping him at Kingsholm until 2010.
Walker can play either fly-half or full-back and has established himself as a key member of Dean Ryan's squad with a series of excellent performances this season.
"I am thrilled to get this deal done and be staying at Gloucester," said the 29-year-old.
"This is the most competitive squad I've been involved in and our position in the table is a reflection of that. It's a really good environment to be part of, and the players and coaches work well together."
Moreno, who is heading back to Italy where he will play for Calvisano, admitted he is disappointed to be leaving the Tigers.
"I don't want to leave Leicester but if Leicester don't want me I have to move," he said.
Meanwhile Newcastle have continued their preparations for the new season by clinching deals with two promising young forwards.
Number eight Peter Browne and lock Tim Swinson have both put pen to paper on one-year deals, having broken through to make their first team debuts during the 2007/8 campaign.
"Both Peter and Tim are outstanding young prospects who have earned first team recognition over the past season, and we look forward to working with them during the coming campaign," Falcons Director of Rugby Steve Bates said.
"As a club we have been renowned for developing top young backs through our academy, and while that work still continues, what we are seeing at the moment is a very strong group of forwards also coming through the system."